Reports Of 'Baby Alligator' Sighting In Hoover Pond

HOOVER, AL - While seeing an alligator in Alabama is not a rare occurrence - counties in the southern section of the state have significant gator populations - seeing one in the city of Hoover certainly is rare. That is why the Hoover Police Department was taken aback by reports that a "baby alligator" was spotted at Veteran’s Park Lake on Valleydale Road.

The Hoover PD said the reports came over the weekend, and they have worked with Hoover Animal Control to monitor the situation.

"Animal Control has been working closely with an expert trapper over the weekend to search the area.," a statement from Hoover police said. "We have also received an opinion from an individual with extensive expertise in this field from St. Augustine, Florida. Through these investigative efforts, it is believed what was likely seen is a soft shell turtle."

How an alligator would have made its way to Hoover is unknown, but cases of people releasing exotic pets into the wild is a growing problem.

Related story:

Do Not Release Aquarium Animals Into The Wild, ADOC Warns

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources issued a statement in May of this year warning people of the harm releasing exotic pets into the Alabama wild has on the local ecosystem.

"Teachers and pet owners should be aware that aquarium animals and plants should never be released into the wild," said Doug Darr of the ADOC. "Releasing aquatic animals and plants is illegal, as they pose a threat to native species and ecosystems. While the environmental damage caused by invasive species throughout the United States is devastating, Alabama is especially vulnerable due to its abundant biodiversity and aquatic habitat.

When a non-native animal or plant is introduced into an ecosystem, the results are often unpredictable, Darr said. The national Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Strategic Plan indicates that "approximately 49 percent of imperiled species are endangered primarily because of predation or competition with exotic species."

Photo via Hoover PD